Hematological and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Mules in Chile.
Authors: Lagos Javiera, Tadich Tamara A
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Hematological and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Mules in Chile Establishing species-specific reference intervals is fundamental to clinical decision-making, yet practitioners working with mules have historically relied on values derived from horses or donkeys—a practice that risks diagnostic error given mules' distinct physiological characteristics as hybrids. Lagos and Tadich addressed this gap by collecting blood samples from 142 healthy Chilean mules (7–22 years old, 290–500 kg) and analysing 32 haematological and biochemical parameters using IFCC and CLSI standards. The resulting reference intervals showed limited overlap with published values for other equid populations: only three of 21 variables aligned with UK donkey data, three of 22 with Pakistani working horses, and none with Portuguese mules, though 11 of 25 variables fell within Chilean working horse ranges. These discrepancies likely reflect differences in husbandry, nutrition, work intensity and genetic background—variables that substantially influence blood chemistry beyond species designation alone. Practitioners should recognise that applying horse or donkey reference intervals to mules may lead to over- or under-interpretation of clinical findings; the authors emphasise the need for population-specific reference data, particularly for mules of different genetic lines and working conditions.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Do not use horse or donkey reference intervals to interpret mule blood work—misdiagnosis risk is high; seek mule-specific reference ranges when available
- •When evaluating mule health, acknowledge that your laboratory's reference intervals may be horse-derived and consider consulting with professionals experienced in mule medicine for accurate interpretation
- •Blood parameter variation in mules reflects their unique physiology; work intensity and diet management protocols should account for this distinction from pure equine populations
Key Findings
- •Chilean mules' hematological and biochemical values differed significantly from those of horses and donkeys, with alignment in only 3-11 of 21-25 variables depending on comparison population
- •Reference intervals for mules cannot be reliably extrapolated from horse or donkey data due to genetic and metabolic differences specific to the hybrid
- •Husbandry conditions, diet, type of work, and biological features of mules create distinct blood parameter profiles requiring species-specific clinical interpretation